Course details
This certificate has one stage, comprising 60 credits.
- You’ll start Stage 1 with either 30-credit module or take both together.
You’ll learn how to develop probability models for practical situations, including random processes, and investigate the properties of the model. You’ll also study the mathematical theory underlying the methods and concepts used in practical statistical analyses.
We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 17 March 2020.
Accessibility
We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The Graduate Certificate in Theoretic Statistics and Probability uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:
- studying a mixture of printed and online material – online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes
- using mathematical and scientific expressions, notations and associated techniques
- using and producing diagrams and screenshots
- undertaking practical work
- using specialist software
For more detailed information, see the Accessibility Statements on individual module descriptions. If you feel you may need additional support, visit Disability support to find more about what we offer.
Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment
This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
The level and depth of your learning gradually increases as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; elearning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.
Read the detailed learning outcomes here
On completion
On completion of this undergraduate course, we'll award you the Graduate Certificate in Theoretical Statistics and Probability.
Recognition in your country
If you intend to use your Open University qualifications to seek work or undertake further study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether your intended qualification will meet local requirements for your chosen career. Read recognition in my country.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
Entry requirements
You must have an undergraduate degree with a substantial amount of mathematical and/or statistical content.
You need a high degree of mathematical competence in the following areas:
- logarithmic and exponential functions
- calculus (including Taylor series)
- algebra (including manipulation of inequalities)
- matrices.
In addition, you’ll need a working knowledge of the following statistical topics:
- histograms and scatterplots
- Normal, Poisson and binomial distributions
- the central limit theorem
- point estimation
- maximum likelihood estimation
- confidence intervals
- hypothesis testing
- simple linear regression
- correlation.
If you meet these entry requirements and wish to study this qualification, download the application form.
You can also check you’re ready to study, and see the topics each module covers, here.
How much time do I need?
- Most of our students study part time, completing 60 credits a year.
- This will usually mean studying for 16–18 hours a week.
Skills for career development
Statistics is important for everyday problem solving and decision making. This certificate will equip you with the important mathematical underpinning for statistical methods, so you’ll have the theoretical knowledge to prepare you for work as a statistician. Applications of probability theory include patterns of events that occur in both time, such as earthquakes; and space, for example the occurrence of a species of plant; together with areas such as genetics and changes in stock market prices.
Career relevance
Qualified statisticians are in great demand in the workplace – in particular, those with the theoretical underpinning to ensure the correct analysis is undertaken are in short supply in all areas, including the sciences, economics, education, engineering, environmental studies, finance, government statistics, logistics, medicine and pharmaceuticals.
Exploring your options
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice, including: online forums, website, interview simulation and vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around where this qualification might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your qualification):
- actuary
- business analyst
- business manager
- climate scientist
- data scientist
- environmental scientist
- financial consultant
- health professional
- marketing professional
- meteorologist
- policy maker
- research analyst
- sport scientist
- teacher